Awaiting the arrival of John Percin Jr.'s ashes Wednesday in Lake Oswego, Matt Tichenor reflected on how close he's come to losing his own life fighting fires.

Like many who showed up at the Lake Oswego Fire Department station, Tichenor never knew Percin, a West Linn native who died along with 18 other hotshot firefighters June 30 when an Arizona wildfire flared up and overtook the crew. For Tichenor, one of hundreds who came to pay their respects to Percin, the tragedy was a harrowing reminder of the dangers he and his fellow firefighters face on the job.

Percin's remains arrived at the Portland International Airport Wednesday to a hero's welcome, the start of four days of events to honor Oregon's lone member of the Granite Mountain Hotshots to die in the Yarnell fire.

On the private plane that took Percin's family and an urn containing the 24-year-old West Linn native's ashes home to Portland were the remains of two other hotshots. The flight, arranged by the Wildland Firefighter Association, continued to Montana and Chicago for similar events.

An honor guard in Portland greeted the plane, which touched down around 11 a.m., and escorted Percin's urn and family to awaiting vehicles. Nearby, dozens of fire, police and emergency vehicles from across Oregon waited to join a procession to Lake Oswego's downtown fire station, where Percin's urn will remain on view today for people to pay respects.

Leading the procession, which briefly closed the on-ramps to southbound Interstate 205, were three Hotshot crews from Oregon. Although most of the members of the Rogue, Wolf Creek and Zig Zag Hotshots are in Alaska fighting fires, about seven were able to pay tribute to Percin.

"I think everybody here feels honored to be part of the procession and memorial," said Shannon Evans, fire management officer for the Crescent division of the U.S. Forest Service out of Deschutes National Forest.

Firefighters gather for memorial procession to honor fallen firefighter John PercinThe remains of John Percin Jr., a West Linn native who was one of the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots killed June 30 fighting an Arizona wildfire, arrived in Portland Wednesday. Firefighters from around the region gathered at parking lot near Portland International Airport before joining a memorial procession to the Lake Oswego Fire Department. PercinâÂÂs urn will be under 24-hour watch at the fire station until Friday, when an 11 a.m. funeral service at Our Lady of the Lake Parish in downtown Lake Oswego will be held.

More than 100 firefighters, police and other public safety officials participated in the procession, including delegations from Portland, Clackamas County, Marion County, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, Lake Oswego, Scappoose, the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management.

"We're all part of the same family," said Jon Kettering of the Oregon Fire Service Honor Guard, which helped organize Wednesday's events, during a brief speech before the procession.

Kettering said the group not only was honoring Percin and his family, but with their display of support trying to help his family begin to heal.

Percin's urn remains at the fire station on a table draped in a royal blue flag displaying the words "courage, bravery, sacrifice and honor." Behind the urn lies a bronze axe engraved with his name, with two honor guards keeping watch.

On the opposite side of the room sits Percin's helmet on a table adorned with flowers, cards and a guest book full of notes from friends, family and fellow firefighters:

"Hey, Johnny Boy! So many awesome memories with you! Always in our hearts. Never forgotten. Alicia"

"Thank you for your service and sacrifice. You will be remembered."

The display will be open to the public today for visitation from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Reporter Justin Runquist of The Oregonian contributed.

This story has been changed to reflect the Wildland Firefighter Association was the group to arrange a private plane that brought the remains of John Percin Jr. to Portland.